Tag: UWE Bristol

CBL Research Café brings colleagues together

Author Faculty of Business and Law | Posted on

On Wednesday 21 January, colleagues came together for the first CBL Research Café, a new space designed to connect researchers, share experiences and spark future collaborations. The session welcomed 16 colleagues (including PGR students) from across the Bristol Business School and the Bristol Law School, creating an energising and supportive environment focused on learning from one another.

Breaking the ice with Research Bingo

The café kicked off with a lively game of Research Bingo. Each participant received a 5×5 bingo card filled with academic related activities and tasks. To fill their card, colleagues had to mingle and find others who had completed each activity, encouraging plenty of conversation and cross-disciplinary interaction. The competitive spirit was high! The first four players to shout “Bingo!” walked away with a prize.

Learning from each other’s experience

The bingo didn’t stop there. Participants were then asked to identify two to three activities on their card that they hadn’t done themselves and seek out colleagues who had. These informal conversations prompted valuable discussions about how colleagues approached different research activities, the challenges they faced and practical tips others could learn from.

Mapping researcher profiles

Tetris style puzzle showing how pieces fit together and gaps.

The session then moved into a Researcher Profile Mapping exercise. Attendees ‘ticked off’ activities they had undertaken from a comprehensive list, helping to build a clearer picture of collective strengths and gaps. This exercise will enable Noelle and Sarah-Louise to identify shortfalls and shape future research development and training opportunities and provide a useful reflection for PDR discussions.

Colleagues who didn’t attend the café are welcome to complete the mapping exercise here.

Coming up next…

The feedback from this first Research Café was overwhelmingly positive, with colleagues valuing both the networking and the opportunity for reflection.

The next CBL Research Café will take place on Wednesday 4 March, 12-2pm in Room 4Q008.

Further details will be shared soon – so watch this space!

Using referencing software

Author Faculty of Business and Law | Posted on

Sarah-Louise Weller and Noëlle Quénivet

Referencing is a cornerstone of academic integrity and scholarly communication. It ensures that ideas are properly attributed, supports the credibility of research and facilitates peer review. In today’s fast-paced research environment, manual referencing is time-consuming and error-prone, making referencing software indispensable.

On 19 November 2025 Sarah-Louise Weller (Director of Research and Enterprise, Bristol Business School) and Noëlle Quénivet (Director of Research and Enterprise, Bristol Law School) organised a training session for colleagues in the College of Business and Law to explore why referencing matters, the benefits of using software, and compare two leading platforms: EndNote and Zotero which were presented by Cobus Jooste and Emre Hayyar of the Law School.

Importance of referencing

Correct referencing is not just about avoiding plagiarism; it reflects professionalism and respect for intellectual property.

Researchers who fail to reference accurately risk damaging their reputations and being rejected by journals.

Moreover, referencing provides readers with a roadmap for verifying sources and exploring further readings, thereby strengthening academic discourse. From a REF perspective, supporting arguments with credible, easily verifiable evidence certainly bolsters these arguments and enhances the rigour of the output. Clear and precise citations allow for greater transparency and reproducibility in research, both of which are vital to research integrity.

Importance of using the journal referencing system

Proper referencing is essential for meeting journal guidelines, as it not only facilitates the submission process but also enhances the likelihood of a manuscript’s acceptance. While some journals use unique styles, leveraging referencing software can help manage these variations effectively.

Standardised references help the peer review process by providing clear, comprehensive information about sources. It not only helps reviewers evaluate the work on its merits but also gives the manuscript a professional appearance, suggesting it is a finished product rather than a draft. This signals that the author values accuracy and takes the writing process seriously.

Challenges of not using referencing software 

Manual referencing is error-prone and time-consuming, with risks like misspelt author names, incorrect dates and formatting mistakes. Cross-referencing footnotes manually often requires repeated checks, while switching citation styles for different journals can take hours and introduce new errors. These tasks waste valuable research time.

In contrast, referencing software automates citation and bibliography creation, allows quick style changes and integrates with word processors, saving effort and reducing mistakes.

Referencing generators v referencing managers

Referencing generators quickly create individual citations for short papers but lack long-term storage, requiring repeated entry. They mainly support styles like Harvard, APA and Chicago. Some cannot handle primary legal sources.

In contrast, referencing managers like EndNote and Zotero offer comprehensive solutions: they store and organise references, integrate with word processors, automate citation and bibliography creation, enable collaboration and sync across devices, which is ideal for large projects and consistent referencing.

EndNote and Zotero

Cobus Jooste and Emre Hayyar introduced Endnote and Zotero, two popular tools, each offering unique features.

EndNote excels in managing large libraries, supports PDF annotation and offers AI-assisted summarisation. It integrates seamlessly with Thomson Reuters journals, enabling quick imports. Users can create multiple libraries, share group libraries and switch citation styles effortlessly. With over 7,500 styles and community-driven customisation, EndNote ensures compliance with (legal) journal standards. The downside is that EndNote is paid software, which may be costly for individual researchers.

Zotero, in contrast, is free and open-source, making it accessible to everyone. It supports PDF annotation, tagging and categorisation, enabling flexible organisation. Zotero allows migration between platforms, supports footnotes and provides cloud backup options. Its intuitive interface and ability to refresh references make it ideal for collaborative and long-term projects. While it is free and user-friendly, excellent for collaboration and adaptable for various citation styles, it has limited free storage.

Practical tips for researchers

Choosing between EndNote and Zotero depends on budget, project size and collaboration needs. EndNote is suitable for large-scale, institutional projects that require advanced features and style compliance. Zotero is ideal for individual researchers or teams looking for flexibility and affordability.

Some of the tips shared by Cobus Jooste and Emre Hayyar included always backing up libraries to prevent data loss, understanding style requirements (particularly concerning primary sources in law), starting early to avoid last-minute changes, using tagging and categorisation for efficient document retrieval, and exploring tutorials and community forums for troubleshooting and advanced features.

Conclusion

Referencing software is now essential: it ensures accuracy and professionalism in research. Both EndNote and Zotero enable scholars to manage citations effectively, saving time and minimising errors. By using these tools, researchers can focus on producing high-quality work rather than struggling with formatting issues. Ultimately, the choice depends on individual needs, but adopting any referencing software is a step towards improved research practices.

Bristol Business School Hosts the South Gloucestershire Business Show 2025

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Bristol Business School was proud to host the South Gloucestershire Business Show 2025 at UWE’s Conference Centre on 19 – 20 November 2025. The two-day event brought together businesses, community partners and industry experts for discussion, networking and practical learning. The sessions focused on innovation, sustainability, leadership and regional growth.

As part of UWE Bristol’s commitment to supporting business and enterprise across the region, 16 Bristol Business School academics delivered workshops, keynote sessions and panel contributions with the aim of sharing research-informed insights directly with local organisations.

Programme Highlights

The event included a rich programme of sessions led by Business School colleagues. Across the two days, attendees engaged with topics ranging from AI and decision-making to the psychology of customer behaviour, sustainable business models, coaching-led leadership and the future of employee ownership. Workshops and talks were delivered by:

Dr Alison Miles – Rethinking success and sustainability in turbulent times

Dr Christopher Lipp – AI Orchestration for Better Business Decisions

Dr Tom Bowden-Green – Why customers do what they do

Professor Mario Vafeas and Dr Ed Little – Workplace alienation and employee ownership

Professor Mario Vafeas and Ellen Parkes – Knowledge Transfer Partnerships: Collaborating for growth

Briony Whitaker – Rethinking sustainability and the importance of context

Dr Karine Mangion-Thornley – From Manager to Coach

Professor Peter Bradley and Dr Basil Omar – Understanding business models for sustainability

Professor Carol Jarvis and Dr Kay Galpin – (Un)leadership from everywhere

Each session offered practical takeaways for SMEs and provided space for dialogue with academics actively engaged in research and practice across the fields of management, sustainability, innovation and organisational development.

Strengthening Regional Knowledge Exchange

The South Gloucestershire Business Show plays an important role in showcasing the expertise, creativity and resilience of the region’s business community. UWE Bristol was delighted to host this year’s show and to contribute to its programme through the knowledge and experience of Bristol Business School colleagues.

We look forward to continuing our partnership with the South Gloucestershire business community and supporting organisations to innovate, grow and thrive.

Africa Research Showcase: Exploring Collaboration and Innovation Across the Continent

Author Faculty of Business and Law | Posted on

On Wednesday, 22 October 2025, the College of Business and Law (CBL) and the Centre for African Social and Economic Transformation (CASET) came together to host the inaugural Africa Research Showcase held at UWE Bristol’s Frenchay Campus. It was one of the events organised to celebrate Black History Month. Participants joined both in person and virtually from across the continent, including attendees based in Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa.

Setting the Scene

“The inaugural CBL and CASET Africa Research Showcase marks a major milestone in strengthening UWE Bristol’s commitment to Africa-focused, impact-driven research,” said Professor Paschal Anosike, Director of the Centre for African Social and Economic Transformation (CASET) and Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Opening the event, Professor Anosike stressed that,

“as the continent with the world’s largest vibrant youth population, Africa’s future depends on strong entrepreneurship and digital innovation systems – it cannot create decent jobs without them. Equally vital are accountable governance, resilient healthcare systems, and effective partnerships to realise both Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This Showcase is therefore more than an academic endeavour. It is a platform for collaboration between researchers, practitioners and students across Africa and UWE. Together, guided by our RISE framework, we aim to foster and generate evidence-based knowledge and solutions that drive inclusive growth through cross-continental dialogue and partnerships.”

A Thoughtful Discussion on Research and Impact

Presenters shared fascinating snapshots of their research around the four research areas of CASET. Each presentation reflected a commitment to understanding and addressing Africa’s complex challenges and opportunities, through innovative, collaborative and interdisciplinary research.

Panel 1: International development and digital capability:

  • Dr Lotta Takala-Greenish – Employee-Led/Practice-Based Learning: 4IR Technology in South Africa
    Dr Takala-Greenish presented a study looking at the core of economic growth and employee-led problem solving. The study found that whilst technological advancements are reshaping learning environments, their real value lies not in the tools themselves but in their strategic application within new business contexts. There is a growing focus on deep engagement and a nuanced understanding of problems, rather than simply emphasising technology. 
  • Dr Ada Peter – Digital Sovereignty and Capability: Rethinking Africa’s Dependence in the Global Cyber Order
    Dr Peter emphasised the need for control over technology, data, and standards that govern critical services and the economy. The continent’s reliance on foreign-owned networks, cloud services and undersea cables was highlighted, which creates vulnerabilities for intelligence harvesting, coercion or disruption.
  • CEO of FirstCap (Nigeria) Ukandu Eme Ukandu – Fintechs and Digitisation as Catalysts of African Entrepreneurship
    Mr Ukandu highlighted the continent’s rapidly growing, youthful population and the shift toward urbanisation and digital payments, with countries like Kenya and South Africa leading the way toward cashless economies. While e-commerce and tech start-ups are creating jobs and driving innovation, he noted that infrastructure gaps remain a key challenge to sustaining this momentum.

Panel 2: Global health and sustainability:

  • Professor Peter Case – Organisational Development for Health Systems Improvement in Africa
    Professor Case’s work focused on malaria control using participatory action research. Peter engages communities and stakeholders to co-design solutions, including task groups and visual tools like drawing to address challenges. Projects highlighted included the OPTiMIX Malaria Study in Cameroon and the LEAD Ubuntu Global Foundation, emphasising a locally driven, collaborative approach.

  • Professor Richard Bolden – Strengthening Public Healthcare Leadership in Africa (in collaboration with the University of Pretoria)
    Professor Bolden explored the challenges and opportunities for leadership, including resource constraints and corruption. He emphasised the need to reimagine leadership at a local level, drawing on African concepts such as ‘Unembeza’, a value system rooted in ethical behaviour, integrity and collective responsibility.

Panel 3: Governance and leadership:

  • Dr Luke Eda – African Union and Immunity of Heads of State under International Criminal Law
    Dr Eda began by stressing that if leaders who commit serious international crimes are not held accountable, wars and injustice are more likely to prevail, thus undermining economic and social development. His presentation offered a historical overview of the relationship between the International Criminal Court and the African Union. He pointed out that the row between the two institutions began around the issue of the immunity of Heads of State.
  • Professor Gerhard Kemp – Transitional Justice in Africa
    Professor Kemp, who also serves on the board of directors of the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation in Cape Town (South Africa),highlighted justice’s role in transforming post-conflict societies toward peace and democracy. He emphasised the importance of African-led, context-specific solutions grounded in shared values and how media coverage of major international crimes can shape perceptions of justice and support societal healing.

Panel 4: Entrepreneurship and innovation:

  • Dr Chisa Onyejekwe – Impact of Inflationary Control Measures on the Economic Rights of Women Microentrepreneurs in Nigeria
    Dr Onyejekwe’s presentation focused onthe severe inequalities that result from centrally imposed inflationary control measures on marginalised demographics such as female ‘microentrepreneurs’ in Nigeria. Her research calls for gender-sensitive, context-specific policies whose potential effects on all segments of the population are properly assessed prior to implementation.
  • Dr Tinkuma Edafioghor – Resilient Entrepreneurship: How Nigerian SMEs Innovate to Survive Uncertainty
    Dr Edafioghor asked how do SMEs survive the uncertainty of volatile markets and shifting government policies in Nigeria? What can we learn from this? Drawing on data from 150 SMEs in Lagos, she found that resilience is people-focused and social, with both employees and CEOs contributing through strong networks, supplier relationships and market insights.
  • CEO of Social Enterprise Ghana Edwin Zu-Cudjoe – Social Entrepreneurship in Africa
    Mr Zu-Cudjoe highlighted how social enterprises and innovators can drive both impact and economic transformation. He emphasised that the common myth, that you cannot do good and make money, is challenged by social enterprises, which show that positive social impact and financial sustainability can go hand in hand.

Building Bridges Across Borders and Looking Ahead

The CBL and CASET Africa Research Showcase exemplifies UWE Bristol’s ongoing commitment to equitable, globally engaged research partnerships. By bringing together diverse voices from across disciplines and geographies, this event helped strengthen the bridge between UK-based academics and African scholars and practitioners.

The success of this first Showcase has laid a strong foundation for future collaboration. Plans are already underway to host an even bigger and more ambitious event next year, further expanding the reach of CBL and CASET’s African research partnerships.

In his closing remarks, Professor Paschal Anosike reflected on the energy and engagement shared throughout the session:

“This event shows our shared commitment to building bridges across borders through equitable and globally engaged research. By connecting scholars and industry practitioners from Africa and UWE’s Africa research community, we are turning collaboration into action. We will sustain the momentum by building on this inaugural success with an international conference next year. Our ambition is to further strengthen equal and mutually beneficial partnerships that drive continuous dialogue and action with relevant stakeholders for sustainable transformation in Africa.”

Follow this blog for details of future CBL Africa Research conferences and events in 2026.

Building a Research Identity: Insights from a Collaborative Workshop

Author Faculty of Business and Law | Posted on

By Sarah-Louise Weller and Noëlle Quénivet

On 15 October, a dynamic and thought-provoking workshop titled “Building a Research Identity” was hosted by Dr Sarah-Louise Weller, Director of Research and Enterprise (Business) and Professor Noëlle Quénivet, Director of Research and Enterprise (Law). The two-hour session brought together around 30 colleagues and postgraduate research students from across the College of Business and Law, keen to explore how to shape and strengthen their academic presence.

Understanding Research Identity

The session began by unpacking what a research identity is: its purpose, influence and evolution. Participants reflected on why having a clear research identity matters. A strong identity not only enhances academic impact but also supports collaboration and career progression.

Key elements of a research identity include:

  • Academic Fingerprint: Your unique combination of skills, knowledge and experiences that distinguish you from others. It reflects your expertise, preferred methods and topics of interest.
  • Public Narrative of Academic Journey: A compelling story that highlights your professional development, milestones and influences. This narrative helps communicate your growth and engages a wider audience.

  • Focus, Values, Audience and Aspirations: These define what drives your research, the questions you aim to answer, the principles that guide your work, who it is for and where you want it to lead.

  • Visibility and Credibility: A strong identity enhances recognition within the academic community and positions you as a credible, thought leader and expert in your field and among your peers.

  • Attracting Collaborators, Mentors and Funders: Clearly articulating your research identity can draw attention from potential collaborators, mentors and funding bodies to build networks that share your unique vision.

  • Career Direction and Impact: A defined research identity helps you set goals, stay aligned with your values and measure how your work contributes to your discipline and society.

Using Online Platforms to Showcase Research

The workshop then turned to practical ways of building an online research presence. Participants learned about different platforms and were directed to consider how to use them effectively.

A key distinction was made between essential platforms such as institutional profiles (e.g., on the UWE website) and global identifiers (e.g. ORCID) on the one hand and  recommended platforms to support wider engagement such as Google Scholar, LinkedIn, Academia.edu, ResearchGate or SSRN on the other. Some are useful for discovering research and staying informed, while others for showcasing publications or engaging with peers.

Among the key tips that were shared were:

  • Select your profile platforms wisely
  • Keep them up to date, post regularly
  • Connect and integrate your profiles
  • Track citation metrics
  • Publicise your profiles

Panel Discussion: Experiences and Tips

Professor James Green (Law), Dr Sarah-Louise Weller, and Professor Noëlle Quénivet shared their own experiences of managing online research profiles. They discussed the benefits and challenges of using Google Scholar, LinkedIn, Academia.edu, ResearchGate and SSRN.

Guest speakers Dr Tom Bowden-Green and Dr Jonathan Gilbert shared how they use LinkedIn, podcasts and newsletters to increase visibility and shape their research brands.

Their advice included:

  • Be intentional about how you present your work.
  • Embrace both positive and constructive feedback.
  • Support and learn from your colleagues – research identity is built within a community, not in isolation.

Reflective Exercises: Defining Your Research Identity

Participants then took part in a practical reflection exercise designed to help them define their research identity in fewer than 21 words. They were asked to:

  • Describe their research focus.
  • Explain its significance.
  • Identify what makes their approach unique.
A diagram outlining the following steps: - One sentence, 21 words max describe your research focus One sentence, 21 words max explain what makes it or your approach unique - Ask your peer to Google you and discuss whether the results match your profile - One sentence, 21 words max explain why it matters - Share notes with a peer

While many found it challenging, the exercise encouraged clarity and focus, helping participants distil their academic interests into a concise statement. In a peer-sharing activity, colleagues looked up each other’s profiles on Google to spot differences in search results – revealing how others perceive their online presence. Many were surprised by the discrepancies between their self-view and public visibility, highlighting the importance of curating an accurate online identity.

Continuing the Conversation – join our next event…

The next training session, “Using Referencing Software”, will take place on 19 November, 13:00-14:00 in Room 3X109. All colleagues are welcome to attend, please contact Dr Sarah-Louise Weller for details.

Global Business Challenge 2023

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Global Business Challenge 2023

The end of another incredible Global Business Challenge! GBC2023 has been the biggest so far, with 250 participants, 34 multi-national, multi-cultural teams, 17 international businesses, 32 team coaches from 12 HEIs from around the world. Different undergraduate and postgraduate students from different degrees in countries such as UK, USA, Ecuador, Finland, Tanzania, Lithuania, Germany or Hungary have worked together to provide value and solutions to a wide range of business clients working in different areas and sectors. UWE Team Entrepreneurship students were involved in 5 different teams and a team coach from the programme was coaching in a 6th team. 

The students shared their reflections in the final pechakucha presentations, and it was clear they got a lot from it! It was great to see how many students were fully focused and adopting a business oriented professional approach in their journey. They learnt about how to do business internationally, how to work in international teams with challenging coordination and time zone barriers, how to do consultancy work and communicate and negotiate with clients, how to project manage and plan, or how to cultivate their empathy and patience with each other.   

“I learnt how to work internationally to solve a real-life business issue, how to work online more efficiently, how to navigate different time zones within the team and with the client and how to adapt the skills and teamwork from TE when working with new people” 

GBC TE participant

Many clients were really impressed with the results and offered to continue working with the students after the challenge. That is the best indicator! We look forward to GBC2024! 

Flourishing at Work

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Whether working in classrooms, health-care settings, or hospitality we all recognise the emotional labour of “putting on a show” when we least feel like it. Flourishing means more than minimising distress – it is about recognising our sources of nourishment, meaning and purpose, which can include the work we do.

UWE CPD at Bristol Business School are pleased to be offering a new 2-day course; “Flourishing at Work” in April 2023.

This course goes beyond a palliative approach to wellbeing which assumes stress is a failure of someone to cope with an emotionally challenging workplace, offering instead strategies to forget or survive things.

The pandemic accelerated our understanding of work as a place to go; work instead is a place to be in complex and multi-layered networks of relationships. If you are interested in understanding flourishing as understanding your place in relationally-complex environments, recognising boundaries and monitoring what we “spend” of ourselves, then this course is for you.

The facilitator, James Costello, is author of Workplace Wellbeing – A Relational Approach and has decades of experience as a psychotherapist, trainer and supervisor across the private, third and public sectors and more recently through working with complex organisational dynamics at the UK Home Office.

In this experiential course, you will explore issues including:

  • Understanding the pressure-points in the context of your unique setting.
  • Develop your listening skills, enabling you to diffuse emotionally-charged situations differently.
  • Learn to notice emotional “triggers” and have different outcomes.
  • Reflect on your negotiating style when resolving conflict.
  • Become more aware of boundary issues regarding relationships that go beyond face-to-face, which includes virtual real-time and out-of-time working.

On completion of this course participants will gain:

  • An understanding of the boundaries between home and work.
  • Insights into working structures to inform change processes in your context.
  • The capacity to understand yourself and others in your context.

For more information including fees, please click here.

The booking form can be accessed by clicking here.

If you have any questions about the course, please contact us via the enquiry form linked here.

Team Entrepreneurship students accelerate their learning with NatWest

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First year students on Bristol Business School’s BA (Hons) Business: Team Entrepreneurship programme recently took part in a learning activity delivered by the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator based in Bristol. During the week-long activity, known as the NatWest Bootcamp, the Team Entrepreneurs learned about key entrepreneurial concepts such as growth mindset and customer validation while also developing their skills in developing business ideas, working effectively in teams and pitching their ideas.  

During the NatWest Bootcamp students were allocated into teams and tasked with developing a business idea aimed at solving a real problem. Teams were encouraged to explore the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for inspiration of which problems to focus on, as well as reflecting on their own experiences as students and consumers. The week culminated in a pitching event held at the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator Hub in the City Centre in which the teams pitched their ideas to a panel of entrepreneurs, receiving invaluable feedback on their ideas.

During the week the Team Entrepreneurs benefitted from a workshop on pitching, delivered by NatWest’s Entrepreneur Acceleration Manager Andrew Jackson. The pitching structure shared during the workshop follows the same approach used by entrepreneurs on the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator programme when pitching for investment. Team Entrepreneurs were also able to gain feedback on their pitches during a practice pitch session with Andrew Jackson which allowed them to finesse their pitches before the final day.

The partnership between Team Entrepreneurship and the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator has evolved over the past five years and the NatWest Bootcamp represent a key milestone in the academic calendar for the year 1 Team Entrepreneurship students, providing a strong foundation of entrepreneurial skills and knowledge. Speaking of the partnership, NatWest’s Entrepreneur Acceleration Manager Andrew Jackson commented:

“The Team Entrepreneurship Bootcamp has been a regular appointment in the NatWest Accelerator’s diary for a number of years – supporting the UWE students through a series of workshops and challenges from the Power of Mindset through the concepts associated with ‘Knowing Your Customer’ to creating and delivering a great Pitch.  I’m constantly impressed by the way the students apply themselves to the challenge of considering creating an idea, validating their assumptions and developing a credible solution to real-world, real-time issues.  It’s a pleasure to be involved and a privilege to be able to help and support the development of the next generation of creative, entrepreneurial thinkers.” 

The NatWest Bootcamp is a strong example of an academic-industry partnership which is adding real value to the student experience. Many of the Team Entrepreneurship students that have taken part in the Bootcamp have continued developing their business ideas further and some have stayed in touch with Andrew Jackson and his team for further mentoring and guidance as they grow and develop as entrepreneurs.

Student Spotlight: Hannah

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As part of our Business and Law Student Spotlight 2022, we spoke to accounting graduate Hannah Carr about her journey so far at UWE Bristol. Hannah has just completed her third year and will be starting at Mazars as a Trainee Financial Planner in September.

What has been your biggest achievement so far?

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at UWE, especially the different experiences and activities that have been available throughout my degree. For example, I was able to work in the Business Advice Clinic, providing real external clients with advice and gaining valuable career experience that I could then reference in interviews and future roles.

I think my biggest achievement during the course has been to reach the shortlist for ‘Accountancy Graduate of the Year’ in the PQ Magazine Awards this year. I was honoured to be nominated and make the top five nationally, and for me it reflected my hard work but also the significant support and encouragement that the lecturers provided during the degree to push me to succeed and achieve more than I thought possible.”

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?

“I think it would be to try everything and put yourself out there to get involved with as much as possible, even if it doesn’t seem 100% relevant to your degree or future career plans. For example, I was involved with the Peer Assisted Learning scheme and the Student Ambassador programme, and these roles gave me some invaluable experiences that were useful in interviews as well as my personal development.”

What has been the highlight of your UWE experience so far?

“It sounds a bit cliché, but I would say the people. I’ve met some amazing friends and some truly passionate lecturers who want to see you succeed and will push and encourage you to reach new heights. I’m so grateful for those I’ve met during my degree, and I’m definitely sad to be leaving now! But of course, excited for my new graduate role and the next chapter.”

The Women’s Work Lab and UWE Part 2

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For the last month, my team at UWE Bristol, the Stakeholder Engagement team, have had a guest with us on placement. This is part of an initiative set up by an amazing Community Interest Company called Women’s Work Lab.

Becky Ware has joined us and very quickly become a part of the team. I have seen her confidence grow, her enthusiasm spark new ideas and her creativity bring a fresh mind-set to challenges.  Here she shares her story about the power of Women’s Work Lab, and the vital support provided by many organisations, like UWE, in offering work placements.

“Being a single stay-at-home mum, it is easy to fall into a routine, and that routine becomes a comfort that is hard to break out of.

I have been out of work for just over 9 years, in that time I had a second child, and an operation on my kidney which I had to wait a few years for.

I was trying to motivate myself into job hunting, but didn’t know where to start, having had such a large career break.

I was lucky that I had a social prescriber who texted me unexpectedly one day advising about The Women’s Work Lab (WWL), I had a look at their website, and read through all the information, a 12-week programme where they help you to get back into work sounded ideal.

I applied on a Saturday and was offered a place on the course on the following Tuesday, I had a bit of apprehension, would I be any good? Am I really the type of person that they help? Am I deserving of this? But I decided that I had to give it a go, I owed myself the chance to improve my life, and that of my kids.

The Thursday of that week I went for my first day, I arrived and waited in reception with a group of other mums, all in the same position as me, none of us knowing, really, what to expect.

The WWL course was insightful and run by a wonderful lady called Sally, she had the experience to really give us all some good advice. I’m currently only halfway through the course, the experience so far has been amazing, I’ve met some wonderful mums who are in the same position as me, and I hope we keep in touch following the end of the course.

Part of the course is a four-week work placement, I was so nervous to find out where I would be going, as were the other mums, but I was delighted to find out my placement would be at the UWE.

I’m now in my job placement, working in the FBL.

The staff in the FBL have been so incredibly welcoming, and happy to spend time with me, considering I’m not a permanent member of staff, and will only be here for 4 weeks, the amount of time and help they’ve given me has been nothing short of wonderful, their support has really helped my experience and I am so excited about looking for a job and getting back to work, I’m not sure how encouraged I would have been if I didn’t have this support.

I’ve got new experiences that will help me in my job search, even something as simple as using outlook again, and getting back into work friendly habits. The confidence this placement has given me is worth its weight in gold.

I’m so thankful to everyone in both the FBL and the WWL, without them I would probably still be at home trying to figure out the best pathway for me to return to work, and still be around for my children.

I cannot recommend the WWL course highly enough, I’m looking forward to finishing the course with some more classroom work, but I will also be very sad to leave my placement, I really feel like part of the team.”

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